Nisswa City Council member Jan Pierce told the council Wednesday, Jan. 15, that many citizens living on County Road 115 (or Nashway Road) are displeased with Crow Wing County’s plan to reconstruct the road.

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She said only 13 percent of the residents on County Road 115 are supporting the reconstruction. They’d prefer that the county resurface the road and address a few hot spots.

City planner Loren Wickham said residents are requesting the city take over the road either by annexation or the county turning back a portion of the road to the city.

The city’s attorney, James Gammello, said annexation would not necessarily put control over the road in the city’s hands. Additionally, citizens must go to the city for annexation; the city can’t pursue the annexation.

Wickham said that if the road was turned back to the city, the city would work with the county on road reconstruction.

Pierce said she would formulate a proposal and bring it to the council at a future meeting.

Public safety

Police chief Craig Taylor reported the department responded to 135 calls for service in December. For 2013, the department responded to 2,127 calls to service, covering 82,058 patrol miles.

The Nisswa Fire Department reported that in 2013, after taking on the first responders program, the department responded to 217 medical calls, saving at least three lives. In December, the department responded to a gas leak, eight hazardous condition calls, three service calls and seven alarms.

In other business Jan. 15, the council:

• Denied a request from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to install an ambient well on Parkway Drive right-of-way.

• Approved a monthly contract for the city attorney, Gammello, Qualley, Pearson and Mallak PLLC, for $1,000 a month. Gammello said some months will be more work, some will be less, and the city will review in six months whether the arrangement is fair.

• Heard that someone had entered the new chamber building/public restrooms and attempted to light magazines on fire. Council member Joe Meyer suggested that the city install a surveillance system around the building. The city will look into the possibility.

• Heard that the chamber of commerce continues to work with the department of transportation to install signs on Highway 371 that show how the city’s downtown area can be reached.

• Learned that five candidates were interviewed for the planning commission. Richard Roberts was selected, but is not available until April. His appointment was tabled until he is available to start.

• Decided that council member Pierce will negotiate with the new department head union, instead of council member Gary Johnson. Johnson felt Pierce had more experience with the matter.